Environment assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Environment - Assignment Example Soft energy sources are more sustainable however, as they rely on inexhaustible sources of power compared to hard energy. Once established, soft energy sources are more environment friendly as they do not rely on the burning of fossil fuels or produce deadly by-products like oil-fed engines and nuclear power plants. Soft energy development looks at energy efficiency and utilizes less power as those produced from hard energy sources. To reduce energy use from conventional sources on the property, the first step is to insulate my house to improve heating and lessen the need for heaters. The next step is to install solar power cells on the roof of the house for electricity. A solar water heater (NREL) will also be installed to heat water. Larger insulated windows will be installed in strategic areas of the house to reduce the need for the use of electric light sources during daytime as the windows will serve brighten the interiors of the house. A study of the direction of prevailing winds will be done and some tree will be cut down to clear wind channels in the forest towards windmills which I will construct near the house. These windmills can power generators and can be set-up to pump water from water wells. I will set aside an area where I can cut down trees to use for fuel in the winter months to power the heater and for cooking. Cut down trees will be replanted. Construction of dams have associated environmental impacts such as loss of farm lands, loss of vegetation and biodiversity, sanitation and solid waste disposal, air, water and noise pollution, and impact on river ecology (Byaruhanga et al.). In order to minimize these effects, safeguards and mitigation measures must be applied during the construction phase. Some mitigating measures which could be undertaken during construction is the replanting of vegetation in other areas to minimize vegetation loss; avoidance of environmentally critical